Adjustable support for mattresses



M. S. ACUFF I ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR MATTRESSES Sept. 7 1926.

Original Filed June 4, 1924 gwuentop fi u c 6 M Patented Sept. 7, 1926.

MICHAEL S. ACUFF, 0F LUBBOCK, TEXAS.

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR MATTRESSES.

Application filed June 4, 1924, Serial No. 717,783. Renewed May 5, 1.926.

The present invention relates to a support for mattresses intended mainly for use in beds of invalids but which may also be used for persons in good health when they want to recline in a comfortable position. The purpose of the invention is to provide a device adapted to be placed under the mattress in such a manner that the end thereof may be raised to a greater or less degree in accordance with the requirements of the in valid so that he may be comfortable in either a reclining or sitting posture. This support is adapted to lit the bed without any structural change therein and is intended to replace the more complicated hospital bed so that an ordinary bed may be converted into a hospital bed when desired.

In the accompanying drawing, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated, and Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sup.-- port;

Fig. 2 is a side elevationof a bed with the support installed, and

Fig 3 is a fragmentary section on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing, reference numeral 10 represents an ordinary bedstead having a spring mattress 11 and a horsehair or stuffed mattress 12 on top thereof. At the head of the bed and between the mattresses 11 and 12 is installed the support 13. This support consists of two side bars 1 1 prefer ably made of flat or band iron and standing on edge. They are spaced apart approx1- mately' the width of the mattresses and are connected by a number of rungs 15 so that the structure is like a ladder.

Upon the top rung 16 is hinged a pair of legs 17 also made of flat or band iron which are also cross connected by rungs 18 pro riding a firm construction in a transverse direction. These legs are provided with a plurality of deep notches 19 opening at the inner or forward edges of'the legs and arranged at an upward and rearward inclination, as best seen in Fig. 1. I

At the forward ends of the side bars 14: are apertures 20 engaging the hooked ends of braces 21 which latter extend rearwardly and are cross connected by a bar 22, thus forming in effect a pivoted substantially U- shaped adjusting frame. At the juncture of the bar 22 and each of the braces 21 is a loop or guide 23 which extends rearwardly from the braces and is adapted to receive thelegs 17 in such a manner that they may freely pass up and down in the guides but are held firmly against lateral displacement. Itis accordingly necessary to provide sufficient clearance between the back edge of each arm 17 and the inner face of the adacent guide 23 so that the leg can slip out of engagement with the bar 22 before striking the inner face of the guide 28. This is best seen in F 3 of the drawing. The length of the leg 17 and the number of notches 19 should be such that a great variety of inclinations of the support may be obtained.

As this support is adapted to be laid loosely on top of the spring mattress of the bed without any means for looking it to the latter, it is evident that the support may be installed and easily removed from the bed when not needed.

Itis also evident that the support may be used not only for invalids but for people in good health when they want to recline to obtain a comfortable position for reading. lVhen the support is not in use, it may be compactly folded and as it then takes up very little room it may be conveniently stored away in a wardrobe or the like.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

An adjustable mattress support comprising spaced longitudinal side bars, rungs connecting said side bars at the rear ends thereof and forming a rest for a mattress, depending legs pivotally connected with the side bars and provided at their inner edges with spaced notches, a substantially U.- shaped adjusting frame pivotally connected with the front ends of the sidebars and adapted to enter the notches in the depending legs, and guide loops carried by the free end of the adjusting frame and adapted to encircle the depending legs.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. a

MICHAEL s; AOUFF. 1.8. 

